Indra to make Spanish variant of amphibious vehicle used by US Marines

ROME — Spanish defense firm Indra has signed to become the lead integrator in Spain’s purchase of the amphibious vehicles now in use by the U.S. MarineCorps. After Spain selected the wheeled vehicle, known in the U.S. as the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, Indra struck its deal with Italy’s IDV, which is the design authority, intellectual property owner and supplier of core components on the vehicle. IDV teamed with BAE Systems to supply the vehicle, known in Italy as Superav, to the U.S. Marines. The Italian military has since become the second customer for the vehicle. In Spain, Indra’s deal envisages integration of systems on 34 vehicles to be delivered from IDV. In Spain the vehicle has been dubbed the Marine Infantry Amphibious Combat Vehicle, or VACIM. “As part of the program, Indra Group will deliver Troop Transport, Command and Control, Recovery and Ambulance variants of the VACIM, integrating the SUPERAV 8x8 platforms with the mission systems requested by the Spanish MoD,” Indra said in a joint statement with IDV. Indra was reportedly in the running to buy IDV last year. The Italian firm was eventually sold to Italian defense giant Leonardo for €1.7 billion ($1.9 billion). IDV teamed with BAE in 2011 to offer the vehicle to the Marines and a contract was signed in 2018. First deliveries took place in late 2020, with the vehicle replacing the Vietnam War-era Amphibious Assault Vehicle, or AAV. Italy followed up with its own purchase of 36 vehicles in 2022, with the order expected to rise to 64. Unlike the U.S. vehicles, which feature a Kongsberg 30mm turret, the Italian vehicles are equipped with the Leonardo Hitrole Light remote turret with a 12.7mm caliber weapon. About Tom Kington Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News. Share: More In Europe Guardsman learns to fly autonomous Black Hawk in less than an hour In a training first, an Army National Guardsman used a tablet to control Sikorsky's optionally piloted Black Hawk and plan its task during an exercise. Recap: Highlights from the US Army’s 2025 conference in Washington The Army continues to transform, with efforts focused on next-gen weaponry, long-range artillery, unmanned systems and much more. Pentagon stages first ‘Top Drone’ school for operators to hone skills Industry and military drone operators flew tethered and untethered first-person drones through a course designed to test endurance and maneuverability. Space Development Agency launches first operational satellites The 21 spacecraft could start providing operational capability to combatant commands and other users within four to six months, according to SDA. Space Development Agency director leaves post for academia The agency’s deputy director, Gurpartap Sandhoo, will lead SDA in an acting capacity.